Let the Buzz Begin

Fall is my favorite time of year for movies. Some people go deer hunting or duck hunting or whatever. I go Oscar-bait hunting. Fun! So I thought I'd start sharing some of my predictions for nominations....perhaps this could lead to an Oscar poll and/or party. I haven't done one in a few years, but heck, the Oscars are my Superbowl!

So, first up, I offer for your consideration.....

Capote

• Best Actor - Philip Seymour Hoffman (The man is a master, and he totally loses himself in this role. His Truman Capote is funny, charming, sad, unsettled, and at time surprising in his level of both strength and manipulation. Hidden beneath that flamboyant facade was a very shrewd writer and student of the human experience.)
• Best Supporting Actor - Clifton Collins, Jr. (His performance starts out very quietly, but that slow burn really pays off in the last 1/2 hour of the film. I've never seen him before but he's pretty darn unforgettable.)
• Best Supporting Actress - Catherine Keener (She's great in just about everything she does. This role, as Harper Lee, is a little underwritten but she does manage to liven up a few key scenes where she challenges Truman to be better -- a better writer and a better person.)
• Best Adapted Screenplay (I think adapted cuz I seem to recall this was based on a book. But the writing was fantastic. And I think Academy voters will probably like the story behind this film - that it's three best friends who put it together, and one directed, one wrote the screenplay, and one starred as the main character.)

So this is my first toss of a hat into the ring. I've seen some other good movies this year -- Cinderella Man, A History of Violence - but this is the first one that really feels to me like it's gonna be a player come Oscar time. I can't wait!

Oh, and Onyah's recommendation, I did watch 28 Days Later. Creepy! But it was also a surprisingly provocative film and I enjoyed it a lot more than I expected. Zombies aren't really my thing, but apocalyptic horror/science fiction can be downright fun.